Do the Franklin County girls have another upset in them?
The Lions 916-11) scored the biggest surprise win of the first round. The No. 4 seed from Region 7 rose up and eliminated Region 8 champion Morgan County, the No. 8-ranked team in Class AAA. Coach Holly Wilk’s team was the only upstart to eliminate a region champion in the opening round and helped their region score the only first-round sweep.
Unfortunately for them, the task gets no easier.
Franklin County must now square off with No. 7 Kendrick, which won the Class AA championship a year ago before being forced to move up in classification when the GHSA went through the realignment process.
Kendrick (25-2) was knocked off by No. 6 Peach County in the Region 2-AAA championship game and thrown into a tougher bracket. The Cherokees are a high-scoring bunch that averages 71.3 points. Coach Sterling Hicks fields a balanced attack led by Taylor Farley (11.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists) that features eight players who average double figure points.
Franklin County is a young team that has six freshman on the varsity roster. Ivey Ginn and Maddie Moorhead have started as ninth graders, with junior Tiarra Ellis providing some needed veteran leadership.
In other second-round games:
Pepperell at Laney: No. 2-ranked Laney (25-3) is a heavy favorite in this game. The Wildcats are led by Aliyah Collier, who averages 16.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 5.6 steals. But she is one of five players on the balanced attack that averages nine or more points. Pepperell (18-8) is led by Madison Wilder, who had 22 in the first-round win over Sonoraville, and sister Erin Wilder. Tymeshia Dozier is a danger from the outside for the Dragons.
Dodge County at Dawson County: No. 10 Dodge County (23-5) is expected to test No. 1 Dawson County, which had to push its first-round game to Thursday because of the bad weather. Dodge County plays tough defense and features a stellar inside game, led by center Rachel Selph (14 points, 8.3 rebounds) and forward Keyria Gordon (13.2 points. 6.5 rebounds) Dawson County has one of the most experienced teams in the field, lead by Region 7 co-player of the year Sheyenne Seabolt, who combines with Karlie Bearden and Ashley Parker to form a formidable group.
Ringgold at Decatur: No. 3 Decatur (27-2) has been playing some of the best defense in the state over the last seven weeks, but is matched against a Ringgold team that isn't afraid to stick its nose in a fight, either. Decatur, winners of 10 straight, are led by point guard Jayla Morrow. Ringgold (22-5) is led by Sydney Shutters and Bethany Headrick and likes to push the ball up and down the court.
Washington County at Calhoun: Washington County (23-6) and Calhoun (24-4) may be the best two unranked teams in the field. The Golden Hawks upset No. 4 South Atlanta in the first round, handing the Hornets only their second defeat of the season. Waco features the one-two punch of Daknequa White (17.3 points) and Nia Johnson (16.1 points). Calhoun likes to play fast (the Yellow Jackets forced 25 turnovers in the first playoff game), but is also comfortable shooting the 3. Sophomore Jana Johns went off for 28 points in the first-round win over Haralson County.
East Hall at Peach County: East Hall (17-10) is surging at the right time; the Vikings knocked off Banks County last week and fought unbeaten Dawson County for four quarters in the Region 7 title game. East Hall is led by all-region selections Ashlyn Ellison, Jatasia Bailey and Jenny Edwards. No. 6 Peach County (23-3) has won 12 straight games. The Trojans are led by junior Nausia Woolfolk, who leads all players in Class AAA with 25 points per game, along with 7.7 rebounds, 7.1 steals and 2.7 assists.
Hephzibah at Central Carroll: Central Carroll (23-4) likes to slow the pace and play a deliberate style; the Lions allowed only 25 points in the opening win over North Murray. Central, led by Liz Minick and Jasmine Thrash, is seeking its first trip to the quarterfinals since 1987. Hephzibah (15-13) is a balanced team, with four girls averaging double figures: Daeundra Jordan (13.0 points, 5.2 rebounds), Shashana Miller (11.3 points), Emani Mayo (11.0 points) and Renee Armenta (10.7 points, 5.7 rebounds). The Rebels have lost only four times since Christmas, three of those to region rival Laney.
Banks County at Beach: No. 5 Beach (23-5) may have its hands full with an above-average Banks County team that slipped up in the Region 7 semifinals and got dumped into a bad bracket. Banks (23-5) is led by Kaitlyn Duncan, the Region 7- co-player of the year, Paige Mathis, Allison Smith and Jaylyn Lack. Beach has won 13 straight games and powered its way to the Region 1 championship. The Bulldogs are led by Jacqueline Anderson, who averages 16.3 points, 2.7 assists and 3.8 steals.
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